Turkey: Message Sent from Arrested Editors-in-Chief on Watch

(Originally published by Bianet )

Erol Önderoğlu, Şebnem Korur Fincancı and Ahmet Nesin,charged with “terrorism propaganda” for serving as editor-in-chief on watch for Özgür Gündem daily, have sent their first message.

Libertarian Legists Association (ÖHD) Co-Chair Attorney Rotinda Polat and women lawyers from the ÖHD visited Prof. Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı at Bakırköy Closed Women Prison.

Fincancı delivered message through her attorneys.

Fincancı: It is an honor to be arrested by state

“I was expecting this decision. I am not surprised. Being here in such a period is an indication that we have done something good. It is an honor to be arrested by the state in Turkey”.

In addition to Fincancı, other Editors-in-Chief on Watch, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Turkey Representative and bianet rapporteur of freedom of expression Erol Önderoğlu, and journalist author Ahmet Nesin sent message through Journalists Association of Turkey Legal Consultan Gökhan Küçük.

Önderoğlu: We will persist to be not compliant people

“As a journalist monitoring legal practice for a long time, I don’t remember a period which especially academics for peace faced such crackdowns and us facing arrests and that legal intimidation has become this visible. Free society, democratic public must act in solidarity in these days. Embracing our values of freedom will gain us more strength. We extend our thanks to our all colleagues, legists and sensitive people who haven’t left us alone since the day we got arrested”.

Nesin: We won’t give up our demands for peace and democracy

“If they think we will give up our demands for peace and democracy by arresting us, they are wrong. Freedom is not as a simple thing as they could understand. If democracy was learned, such things wouldn’t happen”.